Health care professionals get expedited temporary licenses

Action hopes to expand the pool of care providers available during COVID-19 emergency

Health care professionals can now quickly become temporarily licensed to provide care during the COVID-19 public health emergency, according to a news release April 13.

Gov. Phil Scott signed Act 91 on March 31, granting emergency authority to expedite temporary licensure for health care professionals. Bolstering the ranks of health care providers will expand access to medical services for patients and allow qualified retirees to serve Vermont at this difficult time.

“We urgently need clinicians and other experienced health workers to help us meet the demand for care,” said Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD. “We are asking anyone who is qualified to please consider helping.”

The new emergency measures grant a temporary license for health professionals who:

Are licensed and in good standing in other states

Were licensed in Vermont, but whose licenses lapsed in recent years

In Vermont, the Health Department’s Board of Medical Practice licenses medical doctors, physician assistants, and podiatrists. Other health care professions – including nurses and osteopathic physicians – are licensed by the Secretary of State’s Office of Professional Regulation.

These provisions apply to people who were previously licensed.

There are no fees of any kind to obtain a temporary emergency license.

For more information visit sos.vermont.gov/opr or call 802-828-1505.